The remarkable message brave Auckland rape survivor sent to 'cowardly' ex-boyfriend Craig Koning


Sexual assault survivor Amy Coronakes (pictured) has delivered an impassioned message to the ex-boyfriend who raped her 17 years ago

Sexual assault survivor Amy Coronakes (pictured) has delivered an impassioned message to the ex-boyfriend who raped her 17 years ago

A rape survivor has sent a courageous message to her ‘cowardly and abusive’ ex-boyfriend after he was sentenced for raping her after a row over a cooked dinner.  

Ex-DJ and charity boss Craig Koning, 36, was on Wednesday sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty of two rape charges dating back to 2004.

He attacked his then 18-year-old victim and girlfriend Amy Coronakes after she surprised him at his Auckland apartment with a home-cooked meal, a court heard.

She locked herself in the bathroom to escape her boyfriend, who forced his way in and then chased her into the bedroom where he raped her twice.

She later discovered she was pregnant and decided to abort the baby. 

Ms Coronakes – who has waived her legal right to anonymity in the media – spoke of how Koning made her feel like she ‘wasn’t worth anything’.

‘How can I describe in one statement how much you truly destroyed me?’ she said via video link at Waitakere District Court, the New Zealand Herald reported.

‘I went from abusive relationship to abusive relationship because of you, and how you made me feel like I wasn’t worth anything.’

Former DJ Craig Koning (pictured) has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of two rape charges

Former DJ Craig Koning (pictured) has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of two rape charges

She told how she came forward after hearing allegations of inappropriate behaviour about Koning while he was running the charity Floating Foundation.  

Ms Coronakes called her ex-boyfriend a ‘complete and utter coward’ in court on Wednesday. 

She said her grandmother – who also knew of the rape – died over a year ago, but would have been watching over her as Koning was brought to justice.

Koning still denies the charges, a probation officer told the court. 

The rape victim earlier told Daily Mail Australia she is not ashamed about what she has gone through as she did nothing wrong.

She said she plans to be open about the traumatic experience with her young daughter Ava when she gets older. 

‘I didn’t do this for me, I came forward to ensure he didn’t hurt anyone else,’ she said.

‘I lifted my name suppression because I am not ashamed.

‘I feel like sexual assault is treated similarly to mental illness, in that it isn’t discussed enough and there is a stigma attached to it.

Now based in Australia, Amy Coronakes (pictured) waived her right to a name suppression order, telling Daily Mail Australia she is not ashamed of what happened

Now based in Australia, Amy Coronakes (pictured) waived her right to a name suppression order, telling Daily Mail Australia she is not ashamed of what happened

‘If I can help one person feel safe, comfortable or strong enough to come forward, then I have achieved what was intended. To bring strength to others in the same situation.

‘When I was initially raped it was not spoken about at all, so I had no one to look up to. I had it lifted so that others feel they are not alone and that if I can get through this, so can they.’ 

Her comments came days after she posted a powerful quote from US actress Angelina Jolie on her Facebook page. 

‘We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence- the shame is on the aggressor,’ the quote read.

Ms Coronakes moved to Australia for a fresh start, where she has since married and started a family. 

Former Floating Foundation boss Craig Koning (pictured) is behind bars after he was found guilty of raping his then-girlfriend twice at his Auckland unit in 2004

Former Floating Foundation boss Craig Koning (pictured) is behind bars after he was found guilty of raping his then-girlfriend twice at his Auckland unit in 2004

‘Being raped had a huge impact on my life for a long time and I went from bad relationship to bad relationship until I met my husband, who is amazing. I had zero sense of self worth and believed I wasn’t worthy of love,’ she said. 

She added it was important to tell her story to Ava when she’s older so she knows if she’s ever a victim of abuse that she is not alone.

‘I will protect her and love her no matter what,’ she said.   

‘Looking back, I feel like a bit of an idiot for having a go at her bringing food over,’ Koning told the court.

‘I wouldn’t say I mistreated her. I would say it was a bit of an overreaction.’ 

Koning denied he raped Ms Coronakes and threatened to take his own life the next day if she told anyone.  

Pictured: Craig Koning. His victim came forward after hearing allegations of inappropriate behaviour about him while he was running the charity Floating Foundation

Pictured: Craig Koning. His victim came forward after hearing allegations of inappropriate behaviour about him while he was running the charity Floating Foundation

The jury spent two days deliberating before they reached a majority verdict after they were unable to reach an unanimous decision. 

Ms Coronakes’ mother Glenis Parker was in court to hear the majority guilty verdict and was on the phone to her daughter moments afterwards.

‘Amy was telling the truth, and they believed her. I’m just proud of Amy coming forward and telling the truth,’ Ms Parker told reporters outside court.

‘This case was about Amy.’ 

She sent Koning a Facebook message six years earlier, declaring she would go to police if she found out if he hurt another person again.

‘I’m not afraid of him any more… I’m in a much better place in my life than he will ever be,’ Ms Coronakes told Stuff.

‘Honestly my, focus was to make sure no one else got hurt. Now, it is about me healing.’

The brave rape survivor shared this poignant quote about sexual violence on her Facebook last year

The brave rape survivor shared this poignant quote about sexual violence on her Facebook last year

The court process and procedures to lift name suppression took a financial and emotional toll on Ms Coronakes.

She had to fork out $3,500 and write a letter proving she was of sound mind.

‘That was almost more painful than the trial. When a victim has to prove they’re capable of making a decision for themselves, that’s just wrong,’ she said.  

Koning founded the Floating Foundation after he saw a need in remote communities.

‘My experience as a DJ, event and party planner, student and sailor didn’t prepare me for this human, real and impactful experience,’ his LinkedIn bio states.

‘Since then, Floating Foundation has expanded into an operation that connects volunteers, brings medical training and supplies, supports research work and helps bring self-reliance to remote locations.’

‘I’ve been challenged each year in different ways, learning to lead in different environments. Slightly different to leading a sailing team through a storm.

‘The storms will still come, just in different forms.’

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